Would you share your bank password with me?
I know that you think I’m honest to a tee.
But still, would you let me, your password, see?
Or politely scamper away with a glee?

While your grin thinking your password is safe,
Let me happily point you to the hole in the surface.
While you take care to securely lock away the money you make,
You seem to throw the key of your life for me to take.

“What! How? When did this happen?”
I see the panic lines in your maskless face dampen.
I get it. You do deserve a good explanation;
After all, it is you who make me a powerful station.

You let me decide how beatiful you look,
You get your strength from what I write about you in my book.
You give me the chalk to draw the lines of your limit,
You decide your style with the trends I permit.

If that is not enough, you forget who I am:
I am flawed just like you and not worthy Uncle Sam.
Just to be sure you see me clear;
I am your neighbour/ family/ friend/ boss/ peer.

There are those for whom the password analogy does not apply;
These are those for whom self-confidence is in excess supply.
My friend, you need not (and should not) show me your password;
But you should show your report and get my feedback for every word.

I am not all that bad you see;
I help you win or lose; It’s my cup of tea;
You win when you use me to spot your blind-spots and sew the holes in your seam;
You fail when you let me decide your self-esteem.

– Linda Shiny (05-Sep-2021)